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College: Admissions: How to Get Into College
 The
Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College
ASIN: 0670031356
Customer's Rating: 4
Summary: Good News/Bad News
Comments: First the good news: A thoroughly engaging
book that I couldn't put down. I couldn't wait to find out what happened
to the students profiled. The author is an excellent storyteller.
I was impressed at how closely the applications are read and considered
by the admissions officers.
Now the bad: As a parent of a son in college and a daughter in the
midst of the application process, neither of whom are minorities,
I was dismayed, actually outraged, at how casually their accomplishments
could be dismissed by an admissions officer looking for the perfect
blend of "diversity" It's stated blatantly in the book that minority
students are given a plane ticket to visit the school, but that this
is only offered to non-minority poor kids who are savvy enough to
ask for it! One of the student's exotic racial make-up is described
as "way cool" by Ralph as he rates the application. I couldn't help
but wonder how my Caucasion children would rate--boring. Since I have
a Cherokee great-great grandmother, I think I'll advise my daughter
to check "Native American" on her application or she won't have a
chance.
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 The
Fiske Guide to Getting into the Right College (Fiske Gide to Getting
into the Right College)
ASIN: 1570719063
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Get this for your college bound child
Comments: This book is a wealth of important information.
I am sick of college rankings and this book is the antidote. It lists
colleges according to the types of schools they are, their competitiveness,
and their stregnths in various academic areas. This is much more useful
than trying to determine which school is number 1 as opposed to number
8. I really think that the way this section is presented can really
help a student focus on which colleges he/she may want to investigate
for a possible application.
There is good information on applications, interviews, finances, determining which colleges to apply to etc. An important decision a student must make is whether to apply early decision. This book is very helpful in understanding the early decision process and in detremining whether this would be the best strategy in an individual case. SATs, ACT and preparation before taking the tests are covered. I highly reccomend this very useful handbook.
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 And
What About College?: How Homeschooling Can Lead to Admissions to the
Best Colleges & Universities
ASIN: 0913677116
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: What a great book!
Comments: With a college-bound son who just turned
15, I find myself returning to this book again and again for advice,
solace, detailed information, guidance. Cafi Cohen has been through
it all. Her son attended the Air Force Academy and is now a test pilot.
Her daughter attended an excellent college. AND she did a non-traditional,
loose hs program with her kids. I wrote up a transcript for my son
this week, using her book, and was truly heartened to see how beautifully
it all came together. This is one of the best homeschool advice books
I have ever read. A real gem.
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 Essays
That Worked for Law Schools: 35 Essays from Successful Applications
to the Nation's Top Law Schools
ASIN: 0449905152
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: this book is great and the title says it
all
Comments: This book was great! While applying for
law school, I found that there was very little information regarding
essays (tons of stuff about the LSAT, but what about the essay??).
These examples were extremely helpful. I enjoyed reading how successful
students had approached the task of presenting themselves in a few
short pages. After reading this book I felt that basically anything
goes in terms of law school application essays. I was finally ready
to tackle writing my own essay (yikes!).
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 A
Is for Admission: The Insider's Guide to Getting into the Ivy League
and Other Top Colleges
ASIN: 0446674060
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: It's like having a friend in the business
Comments: This book arrived at the ideal time to
help my family with the college application process. High school students
who dream of attending an Ivy League or other highly selective college
need to understand the real selection process. Michele Hernandez let
the cat out of the bag when she wrote this book. The insider knowledge
she provides is like having a friend in the business. If you are new
to the college application process and have a starry-eyed high school
son or daughter, do yourself a favor and read "A Is For Admission".
It can help you and your student set realistic objectives and improve
chances of acceptance.
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 On Writing the College Application Essay
ASIN: 0064637220
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Helpful and amusing advice on writing an original essay.
Comments: This book really helped me through the college application process. I was having a hard time trying to come up with a topic that wouldn't put admission officers to sleep, and this book did exactly that. Harry Bauld worked for a university and knows what catches the eye and what doesn't. I was able to come up with a clever topic for my essay. This may sound too good to be true, but my essays, with the advice and tips on from Harry Bauld, partially helped me get a full scholarship to college. I highly recommend this book to anyone having any trouble writing essays! Good luck!
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 Essays That Will Get You into Business School
ASIN: 0764106139
Customer's Rating: 4
Summary: Quick and to the point
Comments: While not as good as Montauk's "How to Get Into the Top MBA Programs," this book is much shorter (1/3 the size) and may be better if you're on a tight deadline. Found that the essays provided some good guidelines. Helped me get into UCLA, so it was definitely worth the read.
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 The College Admissions Mystique
ASIN: 0374525137
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Parents of College Bound Students: This one's for you
Comments: I am a high school student, currently in the midst of the college process. A friend of mine gave me this book about a month ago. After reading no more than five pages I was overcome with the compulsion to send it to my parents. The book is readable, well written and Mayher says the things that students want their parents to know. It is hard to get in to college, and the pressure to get into the "right" college can be overwhelming. More importantly, the average person doesn't really know much about that "right" college they want their son or daughter to go to, just that it's "good."
His experience as an educator and college counselor have given him extremely valuable information about the college process. Mayher suggests a pro-active search for the right college for each individual. He makes light of the myth of college selectivity, and covers topics that can take you through the entire process. I would suggest reading this book well before your child begins the college search, it can help you understand how to attack the problem and open lines of communication.
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 Making It into a Top College: 10 Steps to Gaining Admission to Selective Colleges and Universities
ASIN: 0060953632
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Better than any guidance counselor
Comments: My son is a 17 year old High School Junior in a large suburban High School. I found this book while browsing for College information and direction on how to narrow all choices available. This was one of many books I bought as I developed our own library of College Books (Fiske, et al...). I can say without hesitation that this is the one book any parent needs to own. I have read it and re read many times since I bought it last summer. All other books repeat the same information over and over again. Mr. Greene's years of experience provide an uncommon insight and down to earth observations into the College admission process and how to improve your child's chances of being accepted by a competitive school. Not only that , Mr. Greene'sincere concern with making the right choice will open your eyes into options beyond the most competitive schools. He believes there are many choices available and what is important is making the right choice for your child. I recommend this book to any parent involved in the College selection process.
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 Essays That Worked: 50 Essays from Successful Applications to the Nation's Top Colleges
ASIN: 0449905179
Customer's Rating: 4
Summary: Great Inspiration!
Comments: This book does not teach you how to write an "Essay That Works," but it provides 50 examples of the different categories, approaches and subject matters that can be used in order to write a personal statement. I am a high school junior, and the thought of writing an essay that was supposed to encompass my entire personality was making me nervous, so I bought this book to see what kind of essay I should be prepared to write... now, I feel a lot more at ease. This book doesn't offer much "critique" of the essays, but it does explain why a particular essay worked or why a certain approach was successful... it also shows that ANY subject can become the subject matter of an insightful personal statement (like eating Oreo cookies, babysitting or watching an Inchworm), and it helped me brainstorm a few ideas of my own. I also recommend Harry Bauld's "On Writing The College Application Essay" as an instructional book... otherwise, "50 Essays That Worked" is all you need in order to inspire you and get you motivated.
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 Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook: Preparing Your 12- to 18-Year-Old for a Smooth Transition
ASIN: 0761527540
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: LOVED IT
Comments: All students homeschooled or institutionally educated should read and heed Cafi Cohen's Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook. It's fascinating. (Without obvious intent this book makes a strong case for continual lifetime learning.) It is an exceptionally well-annotated reference work. It more than adequately addresses the doubts homeschooling families have about college admission. The "How we (they) did it" excerpts are inspiring. There are real examples of good admission essays. Transcripts are covered. This handbook is as easy and fun to read as the Reader's Digest.The benefits of this book begin when the pupil can read. Don't wait for the student to ask, "What about College? The sections of the book on "Paper Trails" and "Putting It All Together" are worth more than the cost of the book. All homeschooling families must have this book in their library
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 50 Successful Harvard Application Essays: With Analysis by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson
ASIN: 031220647X
Customer's Rating: 4
Summary: Top Essays, Good Critiques, A Bit Too Polished?
Comments: I purchased 3 College Essay books (100 Successful College Application Essays, 50 Successful Harvard Application Essays, and Essays That Worked), and have the following comments... I believe that the Harvard book has the best suggestions on how to write an essay, along with the best commentary/critique. However, the essays are a bit too polished. I think for 90% of prospective college students, their essays would be more like those in and patterned like those in Essays That Worked. For varied ideas on essays, the 100 Successful book gives some good ideas, but I believe many of the essays to be subpar. I did each book to have some interesting general reading, especially if one likes "short stories"... or if one is interested in 17 & 18 year olds, and what goes thru their minds.
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 College Planning for Dummies (2nd Ed)
ASIN: 0764550489
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: A Well Rounded and Informative Book
Comments: I found the book to be very informative. It covers everything from what courses admission officers' like to see on transcripts, to tips on how to save money for college without having it deducted from, if your applying for it, financial aid. The book doesn't contain anything about specific schools (like admissions, GPAs, etc..), it is more of a overview on things like deciding location, size, and other factors involved in choosing a college.One thing I found really interesting was that the book gave all sorts of hints,tips, and facts on colleges. It also proved and disproved many myths surrounding college entrance.Overall, being a highschool sophomore, I found it well worth the price. This book takes you from beginning to end on the ABCs of college and gives steps on how to prepare no matter what age or level you're at. It really helped me, and I would highly reccomend it to anyone who is planning to go to college and doesn't know where to start.
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 Admissions Confidential: An Insiders Account of the Elite College Selection Process
ASIN: 0312284055
Customer's Rating: 4
Summary: Parents of ivy hopefuls must read!
Comments: OK, I admit it, I didn't actually buy this book. But I sped-read it in about an hour at my local bookstore; that's about how much time it takes to get the point of this book. Parents of high schoolers who think their kids are ivy (or other competitive college) material should read this book. I work in a large public high school college advising office; it is a brutal process. Brand-name conscious parents are the main problem; who wants to spend $40K a year sending your kid to a school that your tennis club buddies won't recognize the name of? Toor gives what I believe is a pretty accurate look at how an admissions committee physically undertakes its task; and lets kids and parents know what it takes to stand out. Parents should take to heart her sarcastic comments about things that turn off admissions officers. Her basic message is that BWRK's (bright well-rounded kids) need not apply; the colleges are only encouraging your applications so that they can boast about how many applied and how few they accepted. Toor knows it's all about "yield."
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 Getting in: Inside the College Admissions Process
ASIN: 0201154919
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: What the Admissions Office Did With Your Application
Comments: While not exactly a guide to getting into a good school, this book is full of insight on the admissions process.There are lots of useful tips to be gleaned from the author's true stories of five students (names changed) applying to Princeton.For example, there's sometimes an enormous difference a good letter of recommendation can make in an applicant's file. Last summer, a student tour guide and Admissions Office volunteer at a prestigious Massachusetts college said that every letter of recommendation is basically the same, glowing text, and so these are given little consideration by the Admissions people. After reading Paul's book, I am convinced that that student was mistaken; I see now how incredibly important a very well-written letter can be. And Paul tells why, in perfect, practical detail. This page-turner is a great book; it clears up the mysteries, identifies the vagaries, and reveals the sheer humanity of the admissions process. Satisfying reading for the burnt-out parent who needs a break from the Peterson Guide... and a "must" for every high school guidance counsellor.
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 How to Write a Winning College Application Essay, Revised 4th Edition
ASIN: 0761524266
Customer's Rating: 4
Summary: A helpful book
Comments: Of the many books on college that I've brought home for my offspring to look at, _How to Write a Winning College Application Essay_ is the first that my daughter read.
The book is well organized and has interesting topics. My favorite was the chapter of essays gone wrong, and the intelligent discussion of what went wrong with them. My daughter spent hours on the writing exercises--though she hates her writing about herself--and I think they helped her. The tone of this book is helpful, not the least bit condescending, as it points out errors of content, style and tone that can hurt the applicant's chances.
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 Marketing Yourself to the Top Business Schools
ASIN: 0471118176
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: A very good investment. Covers all bases for MBA admission.
Comments: The authors have gone through the admissions process
themselves and have graduated from Harvard Bussiness
School. Its wise to read this book before investing
any time and money into MBA. Everything from determining
which school is the best match, essays, interviews to
mailing the the application is covered. I found it to be
the most comprehensive guide on MBA admissions.
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 Homeschooling High School: Planning Ahead for College Admission
ASIN: 1883002699
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: A versatile reference for homeschoolers
Comments: I was asked to review Jeanne Dennis's book by the publisher because of my interest in helping home schoolers. I've seen the range of questions and concerns home schoolers have shared with each other through email lists and web sites. I feel the book provides many practical ways to systematically prepare for admission to college. As a veteran college admissions officer, I'm glad this book is available for the rapidly growing number of home schoolers forging their paths to college with great independence.
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 Accepted! 50 Successful College Admission Essays
ASIN: 0965755606
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Perfect companion when writing your admission essay
Comments: As the title says this book shows you how to write a successful admission essay. There are 50+ successful essays inside this book and they are helpfully organized by topic. All of the essays are well-written (no surprise!) and are really inspirational when you are writing your own essay. The other part of the book that is helpful are the interviews with admission officers. They help to put the essay into perspective and don't seem shy about telling us what they are looking for in our essays. I used this book when writing my college admission essays and I was accepted at all of my colleges!
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 Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean: An Expert's Advice for Getting into College
ASIN: 1580083005
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: A good college selection strategy guide
Comments: Having read many college admissions tips with admonitions of how I wasn't going to get into college because I didn't do this and I didn't do that... this book was a step in the right direction. "Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean" recommends choosing eight first choice schools. What you know best, you like best, says Joyce Slayton Mitchell. If you aren't obsessed with one school, are looking equally at all eight, then when you get into three or four of them you'll be guaranteed to have a school you enjoy. I liked the strategies in this book, such as the SAT: no SAT score will get you into a college. It may keep you out, but not likely. For any parent of a teenager or junior needing advice on how to pick the perfect school, "Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean" is the way to go.
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 Acing the College Application: How to Maximize Your Chances for Admission to the College of Your Choice
ASIN: 034545409X
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Very Helpful!
Comments: Faced with the terrifying task of starting my college applications, I decided to pick up a book for help. At first, I did not know what to choose, but I finally settled on Michele Hernandez' book because it's so helpful and easy to read. She's very to the point and includes all the essential information, and I felt most confident with her book that I would obtain the information I needed to gain admission to the selective colleges that I am applying to.Her section on supplementary materials and the interview is especially helpful. I would definitely recommend all high school seniors to purchase this book! It -really- helps.
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 Secrets from the Cradle to College Admission at Mit and the Ivy League: A Parent-Student Guide for Life Successes in the New Millennium
ASIN: 0595089690
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Tearing away the veil of selective college admission
Comments: "Your book is an insightful and relevant expose of what parents and kids should look for when weighing the possibilities of attending an Ivy League school. I have no doubt that this book will be a helpful aid for those who might not have believed such an educational opportunity existed for their child. It can also serve as an impetus in motivating parents to begin the process early in their child's educational career. You have done an apt job in tearing away the veil which has obscured admittance to many of our nation's best schools. I can only hope your book will have a wide readership among mainstream America."
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 Best College Admission Essays
ASIN: 0768908493
Customer's Rating: 3
Summary: "Avoid Careless Errors and Grammatical Blunders"
Comments: page 26
"There is no excuse for spelling errors in your essay!"Okay, authors, so please take your own advice - it's "Seuss" not "Suess" (page 19), "Dave Barry" not "Dave Berry" (page 9). These are the authors' mistakes, not from the students' essays. Good ideas - Sloppy editing = Lost credibility.
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 Harvard Schmarvard: Getting Beyond the Ivy League to the College That is Best for You
ASIN: 0761536957
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 College Admissions for the High School Athlete
ASIN: 0816044074
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: I GOT A SCHOLARSHIP!
Comments: I just received a college scholarship to play baseball at a Division I school and I owe it all to this book. It took me through the whole sports recruiting and college application process step-by-step. If it weren't for what I learned in this book, I never would have written to coaches and told them I wanted to play for their teams (I thought they'd come to me!); I never would have known that spring-sport athletes have to contact coaches in their junior (not senior) season; and I sure wouldn't have understood all the dos and don'ts of the NCAA regulations. I haven't even begun my senior year season yet and I'm already signed up to play in college! Thank you to the authors for helping me achieve my dream of playing college ball.
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 Getting in
ASIN: 0446674176
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Very Humorous
Comments: Mad Props to J. Finney Boylan for probably one of the coolest books I have ever read. I think that this book should be mandatory for any high school junior or senior planning on going to college. I've corresponded with Mr. Boylan and he is a very nice guy.
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 Parent's Guide to College Admissions
ASIN: 0743201841
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